Nap Advice to Take to Heart

The last time most of us took regular naps was back in kindergarten. But Chinese medicine suggests we should consider reinstituting the practice into our adult lives. In America, coronary heart disease is the single largest killer of men and women. Taking a midday nap is one of the best ways to reduce stress on your heart. The body follows a 24-hour internal cycle, called your circadian rhythm. According to Chinese medicine, noontime is the peak hour for stress on the heart. In order to strengthen your heart, Chinese doctors advise that you rest and engage in calming activities during this time of day. Studies show that people who napped 30 minutes every day reduced their risk of heart disease by 30%, compared to those who didn’t take a midday snooze. If you want to live a long, productive life, you need to take a few naps along the way!

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